Associate Retail Program Manager

Accountability: Reports to MWBC Managing Director

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1997 by the City of Rockville to serve as the economic development agency for the City. Today with a budget of $2.4 million, it helps businesses launch, locate, and expand. In 2010, REDI established the MWBC to help women throughout the region start and grow businesses positioned for long-term growth through training, business counseling and other resources. Now funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), MWBC hosts more than 100 workshops a year and interacts with more than 1,500 clients through its various services and programs. Learn more about MWBC at marylandwbc.org and REDI at rockvilleredi.org.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the MWBC Shop Local retail incubator program in multiple locations.
  • Program participant recruitment for incubator program.
  • Offer business counseling and training to MWBC Shop Local participants and other MWBC clients.
  • Act as a mentor and recruit a network of mentors for participants and graduates.
  • Develop and maintain collaborations with partners.
  • Accurately collect, record, maintain data and metrics as required.
  • Meet annual performance goals and metrics.
  • Assist in launching new MWBC Shop Local locations.
  • Undertake other project-related tasks and responsibilities assigned.
  • Support liaising with local jurisdictions and property owners.
  • Contribute to curriculum development.

OPERATIONS

  • Lead administration of the MWBC Shop Local retail incubator program to include program oversight, application process, interviews, onboarding, and graduation.
  • Oversee participant adherence to MWBC Shop Local sub-license agreements, participation agreements, social media guidelines.
  • Establish, monitor, evaluate, and improve processes, procedures and/or standards, ensuring alignment with the program mission, goals, and objectives.
  • Collaborate with the MWBC Managing Director to develop, administer, and monitor budgets; implement and allocate resources.
  • Manage tracking of participants and graduates and ensure that CRM data is maintained accurately including participant and graduate contact information, brick-and-mortar or online store openings, monthly sales, maker-events hosted and number of attendees, and other applicable data.
  • Develop monthly reports for funders and specialized packages of information for inquiries and prospects.
  • Supports diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and model leadership.

PROGRAMMING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

  • Oversee planning, teaching and/or moderating of program curriculum, ensuring alignment with mission and sharing of knowledge. Assist with presentations: creating, developing, updating/editing, and electronic filing.
  • Mentor and provide business counseling to cohort participants through industry experience and connections and leverage the entrepreneurial and business community to create new opportunities and support channels.
  • Work with cohort participants to ensure MWBC Shop Local is connecting with the public and generating retail foot traffic instances through effective maker-events.
  • Collect data and evaluations from participants and ensure proper reporting in MWBC’s CRM and LMS platform.
  • Other duties as assigned.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT AND OUTREACH

  • Proactively help to develop and maintain relationships with property owners/managers, being an advocate and conduit for information and issue resolution.
  • Participate in outreach activities; nurturing existing and assist with seeking out new relationships with property owners/managers, local governments, key stakeholders and partners of MWBC Shop Local.
  • Identify funding prospects and assist Managing Director in crafting funding campaigns and grant applications.
  • Work with the MWBC Managing Director, Marketing & Communications Director, and Marketing & Events Manager to facilitate outreach efforts and oversee communication strategy for the program, ensuring timely execution and accurate messaging on social media, printed communications, and website.
  • Research and stay abreast on business and financial trends for small business entrepreneurs.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent amount of experience, knowledge, and skills that will enable you to perform the
  • tasks of the job proficiently.
  • Applied experience in retail, economic development, commercial real estate, and/or small business administration preferred.
  • Understanding of the operations and successful development of small businesses, including but not limited to retail and product-based business models.
  • Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and be comfortable interacting with diverse groups including developers, business entrepreneurs, property owners, and government officials.
  • Demonstrated skills with Google and MS Office Suite programs.
  • Proficiency in Spanish, French, or Mandarin desired.

COMPENSATION

  • Salary range of $60,000 to $65,000 based on qualifications and experience.
  • Full-time position benefits: paid holidays and annual leave, health care benefits, 3% matching contribution to a Simple IRA plan, and parking in office location.

APPLICATION

Submission of application (resume with cover letter) indicating interest to HR@rockvilleredi.org. The position will remain open until filled.

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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